Families of Hostages in Gaza Navigate Hope and Fear Amid Peace Negotiations

Sat Oct 11 2025 12:01:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid ongoing negotiations for peace in Gaza, families of Israelis held hostage express a mix of hope and fear as potential resolutions emerge following Hamas's response to a U.S. peace plan.

Families of hostages in Gaza, especially those abducted during the October 7, 2023, attacks, are experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as they follow the unfolding peace negotiations. Vicky Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod, expresses a fragile sense of hope tempered with fear of disappointment. While Hamas has indicated a willingness to negotiate the terms of their hostages' release, concerns persist about the ongoing violence and the safety of the captives. Israel's leaders are observing closely as headed discussions resume, fostering a mixed atmosphere of anxiety and optimism among the families.

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have told the BBC they are hopeful that US President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war will bring their loved ones home.

Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among 20 hostages held in Gaza and believed to be alive, reported waking with a mix of hope and expectation, alongside a profound anxiety that something will go wrong.

It is a fragile situation and we don't want to be disappointed again. Yet, I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and I can hug [him] again, Cohen expressed. Nimrod, aged 21, was taken captive by Hamas during the attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 251 hostages and significant fatalities.

On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all remaining Israelis, both living and deceased, contingent on negotiations surrounding key points of the US peace plan.

In light of this development, Trump expressed via Truth Social his belief in the potential for lasting peace, urging Israel to cease bombing in Gaza to facilitate the safe return of the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, announcing Israel's readiness to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the hostages' release.

As anticipation swells, negotiations are set to resume in Egypt shortly, with the families of hostages maintaining cautious optimism. Udi Goren, who lost his cousin Tal Haimi in the October attacks, expressed a desire for action toward a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing that the time for decisive action is now.

Despite the hope sparked by the peace plan, fears linger among the families. While they cherish the possibility of reunion, they remain acutely aware of the dangers their loved ones continue to face. As the dialogue progresses, they cling to the hope that they might finally soon embrace their beloved relatives after a harrowing ordeal.